Wilda Jane (Foushee) Willms

Wilda Jane (Foushee) Willms, 92, of Tyler, TX died peacefully on May 7, 2024. She was born January 6, 1932 to Alice (Johnson) and Wren Foushee on the family farm in Bureau Township, IL where she developed a lifelong love of people, land, animals, and adventure. Wilda attended the University of Illinois (Chicago) where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. It was there that she met the love of her life, Dr. Richard ("Dick") Willms. They married in 1956 and celebrated their 68th anniversary in January. Wilda’s interests were diverse and included raising animals of all kinds, collecting silver, gardening, church, home decorating, cooking, entertaining, and travel. She loved life and she loved people. Her greatest love was her family. She established loving homes in San Bernardino, CA and in El Paso, Houston, Jacksonville and Tyler, TX. Wilda worked for a time as a nurse and as a staff development director, but most of her professional life was as the office manager in Dick’s surgical practice. Their private and professional lives occasionally merged. Once, when baby goats were born at home, Wilda found that corners of an office could make an effective day-time nursery. Wilda and Dick created many wonderful and memorable experiences for their children, grandchildren, extended family, and friends, often around water sports and fish fries at Lake Jacksonville, TX. For many years she and Dick organized, orchestrated, and hosted a spring campout at the lake for Tyler physicians and their children to nurture family bonds. Wilda herself was one-of-a-kind. She may have been tiny in body, but she was larger than life in personality and spirit. Her sense of style was unmatched. Her outfits were almost always complemented with a fashionable hat (which we know is now a halo). Her love of Christmas was unfailing with her asking expectantly, “Isn’t it time for stockings?” even well after the children were grown. Her curiosity and commitment to education and life-long learning were infectious. Early on, her sense of adventure was seen in enthusiasm for farm tractor rides to town, and later in eagerness for towing water skiers and taking trips overseas. When later life slowed her down, she just had to get to town for lunch and a quick shopping trip. It's rare someone takes the time to be present for everyone. For anyone who met her, you know that she would truly get to know you and she cared. Words to describe her? Classy, brilliant, beautiful, devoted, affectionate, loveable, compassionate, strong-willed, clever, a memory like no other, quick-witted, curious, generous, and loving. We’ve lost an incredibly special person. Even though we are grateful she is at peace, we will miss her always. Wilda was preceded in death by her son Michael Shane Willms. She is survived by her husband and three children: Richard Scott Willms and wife Susan Watkins; Christopher Denton Willms and wife Ann Willms; and Melissa ("Misty") Jane Willms and husband Mickey Davis; as well as grandchildren Benjamin, Joshua, Molly, Nina, and Olivia. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 am, May 31st at Christ Episcopal Church, 118 S. Bois d’Arc, Tyler, TX, with a reception at the church to follow. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Christ Episcopal Church, an animal welfare charity, or other charity of your choice. The family extends special thanks to all of those who provided care to Wilda in the final year and a half of her life.

Wilda Jane (Foushee) Willms

January 6, 1932 - May 7, 2024